What did you admire about Theodora and Sarah? What did you dislike? Did you relate to one character more than the other?

Created: 09/18/13

Replies: 6

Posted Sep. 18, 2013
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admin

Join Date: 10/11/10

Posts: 369

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What did you admire about Theodora and Sarah? What did you dislike? Did you relate to one character more than the other?

What did you admire about Theodora and Sarah? What did you dislike? Did you relate to one character more than the other?

Posted Sep. 23, 2013
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irisf

Join Date: 01/16/12

Posts: 78

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RE: What did you admire about Theodora and Sarah? What did you dislike? Did you relate to one character more than the other?

Theodora and Sarah were both stuck in their situations. Theodora was the victim of Cornelius's infidelity and abuse. Times were so different back then, I don't think divorce was an option. She had no choice other than to accept things as they were so she became meeker as time went by. She couldn't even support Clarissa in regards to her choice in marriage. Sarah had one goal in her entire life and her resolve to achieve her dream made her stronger as time went by. Up until the confession, I had more compassion for Sarah's strength than Theodora's weakness although there was little Theodora could've done for herself

Posted Sep. 23, 2013
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rebajane

Join Date: 04/21/11

Posts: 184

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RE: What did you admire about Theodora and Sarah? What did you dislike? Did you relate to one character more than the other?

I think from a modern day point of view its difficult to understand Theodora's complacency, but I agree with irisf that she probably thought that she didn't have any options that didn't involve her own disgrace. I was more disturbed at her lack of support for Clarissa. I pulled for Sarah throughout the entire story but I was also a little disturbed by how she resolved her problems. But I am not able to put myself in her shoes so I won't judge too harshly. I hope that I am more like Sarah than Theodora!

Posted Sep. 23, 2013
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sandra54

Join Date: 05/01/13

Posts: 43

RE: What did you admire about Theodora and Sarah? What did you dislike? Did you relate to one character more than the other?

I admired both characters and the risks they took to make reading a part of their lives. Often I take for granted the easy access I have to books and ideas.

Posted Sep. 24, 2013
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hazeyr

Join Date: 03/24/12

Posts: 19

RE: What did you admire about Theodora and Sarah? What did you dislike? Did you relate to one character more than the other?

Theodora was able to be kind to the people she had every right to dislike and treat poorly. She tried to make the best of a hurtful situation. Sarah set a goal for herself, and never lost sight of it. She persevered even though life was so difficult. Sarah's setting her husband up for capture as a runaway slave was mean spirited, but understandable, shockingly revealed and made for quite an ending. As evil as Cornelious was, and as astonishing the ending climax was, I can't condone Sarah murdering Cornelious. perhaps the author could have written a different but equally astonishing ending where Sarah threatens him and his family with grave physical harm so that the end could justify the means.

Posted Sep. 27, 2013
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sharons

Join Date: 08/11/13

Posts: 5

RE: What did you admire about Theodora and Sarah? What did you dislike? Did you relate to one character more than the other?

Theodora had such class but never once used it to her advantage !! For this era in the South many wealthy plantation owners (the wives or children didn't have a lot of interaction with their slaves) I was born and raised in the south and have researched the lives of plantation owners and the history of slavery and to my surprise many owners were kind. There were many slaves whom were very loyal to their plantation owners, but we have to realize many slaves received the most cruel and inhumane treatment from the men who sold the slaves and separated children from their families !!! Sarah had the spunk and determination to suvive any situation and loved her own family and Miss Theodora and her best friend Clarissa !

Posted Sep. 29, 2013
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dianem

Join Date: 10/25/12

Posts: 65

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RE: What did you admire about Theodora and Sarah? What did you dislike? Did you relate to one character more than the other?

I admired both of them because they were both strong women in the face of all that they went thru. I admired Theodora when she was allowing Sarah to sit in on lessons and learn even though she would have gotten in trouble. Even though I wish she would have stood up for her daughter before she died, i understand that times were different and women were expected to be subservient to their husbands.Sarah was a strong woman and I admire her for everything she did.